Before she became a household name, Margot Robbie was a relatively unknown actress auditioning for Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. Facing industry giants like Leonardo DiCaprio, she could’ve played it safe, but that’s just not her style. Instead, she delivered an audition—and a performance—that left everyone stunned. Years later, the Barbie actress reflected on the risks she took to embody Naomi Lapaglia, a role that skyrocketed her career.
Speaking on the Talking Pictures podcast last week, Robbie recalled how her bold choices, both on set and during her audition, transformed her from a TV actress into one of Hollywood’s brightest stars.
Margot Robbie’s Game-Changing Decision
One of the film’s most memorable scenes was all Robbie. Originally, her character was supposed to emerge in a robe to seduce Jordan Belfort, played by DiCaprio. But Robbie had other ideas.
“That’s not what Naomi would do,” she explained. “The whole point is that she’s playing her ultimate card—she’s coming out completely naked.”
Her instincts proved right. The scene, showcasing Naomi’s fierce, manipulative power, became iconic. Robbie shared that Scorsese was open to her perspective, even suggesting she could wear the robe if she was uncomfortable. But she stood firm, knowing this was how the character would take control of the moment.
The Audition That Could’ve Gone Wrong
Even before landing the role, Robbie’s audition was nothing short of legendary. The script called for her to kiss DiCaprio, but instead, she went off-script and slapped him across the face.
“I thought, ‘I could kiss Leonardo DiCaprio right now, and that would be amazing. But then I thought, nah,’” Robbie recounted. “So, I just walloped him.”
The room fell silent, and for a split second, Robbie thought she’d blown her chance. “I was sure I’d never work again—or worse, I’d be arrested,” she joked. But then Scorsese and DiCaprio burst into laughter. That fearless move not only impressed them but also secured her the part.
A Titanic Connection on Set
As if her rise to fame wasn’t surreal enough, Robbie shared another behind-the-scenes moment that felt straight out of a movie. While preparing for an emotional divorce scene, she used the Titanic soundtrack to get into a tearful state.
“I can hear that theme music and just start bawling,” she said. But as she tried to stay in character, she looked up to see Kate Winslet visiting her former Titanic co-star, DiCaprio.
“There I was, listening to the music, trying to cry, and suddenly there’s Kate and Leo walking past. It was so surreal,” Robbie said.
A Star Who Plays by Her Own Rules
Robbie’s willingness to take risks didn’t just bring Naomi Lapaglia to life—it proved that she’s an actress who doesn’t hold back. Whether it was slapping DiCaprio, redefining a scene, or channeling emotion in unexpected ways, she showed that her instincts were razor-sharp.
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